Amino acids, normally found in dietary protein, are released as the protein is digested in the gastrointestinal tract. Eight of the amino acids, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine are considered essential and must be obtained through the diet.

Safety

Safety Information:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the amino acids, including their hydrochloride (HCl), sodium and potassium salts as food additives permitted to be directly added to food. The FDA permits Glycine to be used in Over-the-Counter antacid drug products. The safety of the alpha amino acids and their simple salts has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

More safety Information:

CIR Safety Review:

The normal presence of these ingredients in the body, and their use as direct food additives led the CIR Expert Panel to focus their review only on dermal irritation and sensitization data. Dermal data on products containing these ingredients indicated that the amino acids are not dermal irritants or sensitizers. The CIR Expert Panel noted that some individuals have issues with dietary Sodium Glutamate and Phenylalanine. The CIR Expert Panel determined that the concentrations of these amino acids used in cosmetic products are lower than levels that would result in significant exposure.

Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that the amino acids and their simple salts are safe for use in cosmetic products.

Bacterial fermentation is the primary method of manufacture used to produce Glutamine, Histidine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Proline, Serine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Glutamic Acid and Lysine. Enzymatic catalysis is used to produce Alanine, Methionine, Valine and Aspartic Acid, while Glycine chemically synthesized from choroacetic acid and ammonia. Purification after complete hydrolysis of proteins is the method used to produce Asparagine and Tyrosine.

Resources

Resources:

Find out more about the regulation of over-the-counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration